Effect of curcumin on laying performance, egg quality, endocrine hormones, and immune activity in heat-stressed hens

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of curcumin on laying performance, egg quality, biochemical indicators, hormone levels, and immune activity in hens under heat stress. Hy-Line brown hens (280-day-old) were fed with 0, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg of curcumin during a 42-D experiment. Compared with the control treatment, supplementation with 150 mg/kg of curcumin improved laying performance and egg quality by significantly increasing egg production, eggshell thickness, eggshell strength ( P < 0.01), and albumen height ( P < 0.05) while decreasing the feed-to-egg ratio. Antioxidant activity was improved by significantly increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase but decreasing malondialdehyde levels in serum ( P < 0.05) and significantly increasing the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, IgG, IgA, and complement C 3 activity in serum ( P < 0.05). These results indicated that supplemental 150 mg/kg curcumin can improve productive performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, and immune function in laying hens under the heat stress conditions applied in the present study.

Dietary L-citrulline supplementation modulates nitric oxide synthesis and anti-oxidant status of laying hens during summer season

“…This however could not be attributed to treatment conditions as the results were not signi cantly affected across all groups. Similarly, a laying rate of 74.74% at 40 to 46 weeks [46] and 86.2% from 21 to 35 weeks of age, had been reported from previous studies [47].…”

“…Curcumin was demonstrated to improve antioxidant status in heat-stressed hens by lowering serum MDA levels while promoting enzymatic activities of SOD and GSH-Px [46]. Our study revealed that MDA levels were reduced, whereas anti-oxidants such as CAT, SOD, and T-AOC were elevated in laying hens fed L-Cit.…”

“…There exists a quantitative relationship between calcium concentration and citrulline synthesis in the mitochondrial matrix [50]. Liu et al [46] reported that increased circulating free calcium (Ca 2+ ) in the blood in combination with other plasma proteins involved with eggshell formation improved eggshell quality. This implies that L-Cit may directly/indirectly act to increase intracellular Ca 2+ ions responsible for improving the egg shape index.…”

Dietary L-Citrulline supplementation modulates nitric oxide synthesis and anti-oxidant status of laying hens during summer season

“…The relationship between these measures of egg quality demonstrates that L-Cit increment of egg external shape index may correspond to improved egg internal quality. Similar to our findings, dietary supplementation with natural antioxidants (thyme, oregano, curcuma longa and rosemary) increased egg shape index of laying hens (64).Liu et al(65) reported that increased circulating free calcium (Ca 2+ ) in the blood in combination with other plasma proteins which are involved in egg shells formation resulted in improved egg shell quality. Likewise, there exist a quantitative relationship between calcium concentrations and citrulline synthesis in the mitochondrial matrix(66).…”

“…Increased activity of antioxidant enzymes has been associated with decreased MDA levels (84). Likewise, curcumin was shown to improve antioxidant status in heat stressed hens by lowering serum MDA levels while promoting enzymatic activities of SOD and GSH-Px (65).…”